AUNT SALLY was a late 70s Japanese post-punk band featuring the singer Phew who has since collaborated with members of CAN, DAF, RAINCOATS & more. Great outsider art punk that will appeal to fans of THE SLITS, RAINCOATS, B-52S etc…RECOMMENDED.
HAROLD BUDD – Pavilion of Dreams LP (Superior Viaduct) reissue
The legendary late 70s album by Harold Budd is available once again via Superior Viaduct. This was originally released on Eno’s Obscure label & it was a beautiful mix of ambient music, jazz, new age & contemporary classical music. ThIs album had a number of contributors including Marion Brown, Gavin Bryars, Michael Nyman & beautiful singing by Lynda Richardson. RECOMMENDED.
SWAMI JOHN REIS – Ride the Wild Night LP (Swami)
John Reis of ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT & HOT SNAKES returns with a new solo album in 2022. This one sits more in RFTC territory than his last few projects. Efficient & tightly wound melodic rock tunes with nods at his punk rock past.
STORMKEEP – Tales of Othertime LP (Van) 2nd press red vinyl already out of print!
Totally epic, symphonic black metal featuring members of WAYFARER & BLOOD INCANTATION. Tolkien influenced fantasy themes that even comes with a map of their fantasy realm of Elda. Though these guys aren’t a Viking metal band, their sound owes a lot to that style so fans of bands like EMPEROR, ENSLAVED BORKNAGAR, WINDIR etc…& the great ABSU will really like this.
RECOMMENDED.
WEATHER STATION – How Is It That I Should Look at the Stars LP (Fat Possum) limited gold or black vinyl
In a similar way to BIG THIEF’s 1-2 punch of “U.F.O.F” & “Two Hands”, Tamara Lindeman aka THE WEATHER STATION wrote most of the songs for “Ignorance” & this companion piece record mostly at the same time. “How Is It That…” is a more somber album of mostly ballads but they do interact with the songs on “Ignorance” in interesting ways. This is definitely worth checking out if you were into her great 2021 album.
OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES & RESTOCKS
AKON – Konvicted LP (Republic)
BAD BUNNY – El Ultimo Tour Del Mundo LP (Rimas)
BAND OF HORSES – Things Are Great LP/CD (BMG) limited color or black vinyl
PHOEBE BRIDGERS – Punisher LP (Dead Oceans)
DAFT PUNK – Discovery LP (Daft Life)
GRANT GREEN – The Latin Bit LP (Blue Note) Tone Poet Series
GUIDED BY VOICES – Crystal Nuns Cathedral LP (GBV)
JESUS LIZARD – Head LP (Tough & Go)
KARATE – Bed is in the Ocean LP/TAPE (Numero) limited color or black vinyl
PEACH – From 2 to 3 LP (Columbia)
PHISH – Clifford Ball: Aug. 16 & 17 1996 12 LP box set (Jemp)
SWANS – Soundtracks for the Blind 4LP (Young God)
TAME IMPALA – The Slow Rush LP (Interscope)
UNDEATH – Lesions of a Different Kind LP (Prosthetic) new color
VARIOUS ARTISTS – British Mod Sounds of the 1960s LP (Demon)
NILUFER YANYA – Painless LP (ATO) limited color or black vinyl
BLOOD INCANTATION – Timewave Zero CD (Century Media) vinyl coming soon
The Denver death metal band BLOOD INCANTATION has always contemplated cosmic concepts in their work & we weren’t surprised at all when we heard that their next project would be an ambient album. For those that listen to ambient music regularly this might come across like exercise but we like the idea that they might be introducing a new legion of death metal maniacs to the ambient realm. Nods at Klaus Schulze, Vangelis’ legendary “Blade Runner” soundtrack etc…& thoughts of the void…
DEERHOOF – Actually, You Can LP (Joyful Noise)
18 albums in (!!) the SF based indie mainstays DEERHOOF continue to find ways to expand their sound. This one seems a bit more progressive & complex with shifting polyrhythmic beats & melodies that mimic African high life & Cuban patterns mixed with their now classic sound.
MATCHESS – Sonescent LP (Drag City)
Whitney Johnson’s MATCHESS project has been one of the more interesting experimental pop projects of the past decade & she jumps to Drag City for this 2022 album. Her albums on Trouble In Mind were mostly based around pre-recorded tapes that she’d change throughout the show, along with her trusty viola & organ. She’s been veering into a more experimental realm & “Sonescent” seems like the end of something & also the beginning. Despite a band being listed on the back cover, their contributions are almost hidden entirely & only fade in & out from time to time as if they’re being covered up or slowly erased by meditative drones.
JEFF PHELPS – Magnetic Eyes LP (Numero)
Numero brings us this slab of mid 80S electronic bedroom soul from the Texas musician Jeff Phelps. Spare production with drum machines, analog synths, steamy sax accompaniment & vocals by Phelps & a singer credited as Antoinette. This owes as much to Stevie Wonder & Prince as it does KRAFTWERK. A great find.
SAD LOVERS & GIANTS – Feeding The Flame LP (Spittle) reissue
Crucial reissue of one the greatest new wave post-punk records out there. Originally released in 1983 and the last album with the original lineup, FEEDING THE FLAME is atmospheric, dreamy, dreary and rich in melody. Fans of JOY DIVISION, THE CHAMELEONS, ect…grab this!H I G H E S T R E C O M M E N D A T I O N
2022 record from indie stalwarts SUPERCHUNK dials back the incandescent rage of “What a Time to Be Alive” for a more introspective look at our times of isolation & despondency. Appropriately enough, “Wild Loneliness” was recorded remotely, and as a result enlists a large roster of outside help (WYE OAK’s Andy Stack, R.E.M.’s Mike Mills, even a little vocals from SHARON VAN ETTEN). This is a perfect yin-yang companion to “What a Time”, maintaining the razor sharp power pop songwriting chops within a more melancholy milieu. RECOMMENDED!
VOIVOD – Synchro Anarchy LP (Century Media) now on vinyl!! These are at Belmont & The Loop, Wicker Park will have next week
We’re not sure that anyone would have predicted that Canadian sci-fi metal legends VOIVOD would still be going 15 albums in, especially after Piggy’s untimely death in 2005. Their last album “The Wake” was a fantastic return to form & they’re cruising along pretty well on this one too. Tons of weird riffs & beats & melodic vocals will certainly please fans of one of the all time great metal bands. VOIVOD!
OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES & RESTOCKS
BROADCAST – Tender Buttons LP (Warp) back in print
DANNY BROWN – Atrocity Exhibition LP (Warp) back in print
A few things didn’t make it because of the bad weather including the Khruangbin/Leon Bridges, Water From Your Eyes, Cheer Accident, Sleigh Bells etc… Those will be in early next week
BEACH HOUSE – Once Twice Melody LP/LP BOX SET/CD/TAPE (Sub Pop)
The vastly talented Baltimore duo BEACH HOUSE return with a new album for 2022 “Once Twice Melody.” The album is split into four separate chapters each focusing on different stages of the break-up of a relationship. They’ve mastered their style of efficient synth pop & they’ve added some string arrangements by composer David Campbell which makes everything sound even more cinematic & epic. Another fantastic album Victoria Legrand & Alex Scally. RECOMMENDED.
THRESHING SPIRIT – The Crucible LP (American Decline) red vinyl
THRESHING SPIRIT is the one-man black metal project of Jordan Reyes, an artist that records under his name & who also runs the American Dreams & American Decline labels. Fuzzed-out guitars, distorted vocals, minimal drum machine programming (sometimes just fast bass drum) & odd melodies & instrumental passages. Pretty unique stuff.
VA – Do You Believe It? 3LP (Cairo)
Another great compilation of American soul tunes on the Cairo label. This one includes songs from 1960-1972 by Sam Cooke, Bobby Womack, Chambers Brothers, Ann Peebles, William DeVaughn, Bettye Swann, Irma Thomas & much more.
OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES & RESTOCKS
BAD BRAINS – Quickness LP (Bad Brains)
DAFT PUNK – Discovery LP (Daft Life) we got A VERY LIMITED amount of these & they already sold out but we’ll have some more in a few weeks
DODOS – Grizzly Peak LP (Polyvinyl)
FATHER JOHN MISTY – I Love You, Honeybear LP (Sub Pop) back in print
FLEET FOXES – Helplessness Blues LP (Sub Pop) back in print
JOE HENDERSON – Inner Urge LP (Blue Note) Classic Vinyl Series
ROSCOE HOLCOMB – The Old Church LP (Mississippi)
ANGELIQUE KIDJO – Mother Nature LP (Verve)
LEE MORGAN – Caramba! LP (Blue Note) Classic Vinyl Series
PALACE – Shoals LP (Fiction)
RUN THE JEWELS – RTJ4 LP (BMG) magenta vinyl back in stock
SARAH SHOOK & THE DISARMERS – Nightroamer LP/CD (Abeyance)
FRANK TURNER – FTHC (Polydor) limited color or black vinyl
THE TWILIGHT SIDE – Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters LP (Fatcat)
THE TWILIGHT SIDE – No One Can Ever Know LP (Fatcat)
WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS – These Four Walls LP (Fatcat)
BOBBY WEIR & THE WOLF BROS – Live in Colorado LP/CD (Third Man) limited color vinyl
Since so many new releases were delayed due to weather on the 4th we decided to combine last week’s list with this one
BIG THIEF – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You LP/CD (4AD) recycled vinyl
This sprawling, 20-track double-LP from BIG THIEF does the miracle of managing to be simultaneously ambitious and leisurely, using multiple recording sessions to capture the many facets of their songwriter ADRIANNE LENKER and the band’s intuitive, textured playing. Now what strikes us on these songs is how confident they are rhythmically; the way in which the band can wrap themselves around a hook or a bridge makes it as if these weren’t written so much as plucked from the air. Many of these tracks hew close to a sound like FAIRPORT CONVENTION, others at a more easygoing, JOHN PRINE-like pace. At any speed, this album is among the best in BIG THIEF’s already brilliant catalog. ULTRA RECOMMENDED.
BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD – Ants From Up There LP/CD/dlxLP (Ninja Tune) limited blue marbled vinyl
The sophomore record from London art rock group BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD comes hot off the heels of their 2021 breakthrough “For the first time”, and whereas that debut served as a showcase for their eclectic palette – from epic post rock to no wave skronk to avant indie pop – “Ants From Up There” refines these sounds into a unified whole that places them square between the traditions of leftfield UK pop and prog (think early KING CRIMSON) and 00s indie (SUNSET RUBDOWN, even bits of early ARCADE FIRE!), all while still retaining a unique and original sound. This will absolutely find its way onto some “best of” lists come year’s end. On Ninja Tune and RECOMMENDED!
CLEO SOL – Mother LP/CD (Forever Living Originals)
“Mother” is the 2nd album from the SAULT singer Cleo Sol. Similar to her first album, Sol is exploring 70s & 80s R&B & soul but this one is a bit more mainstream & pop oriented with hints at greats like Stevie Wonder. Obvious her recent motherhood is reflected in the title as well as lyrically throughout the album.
DREAM UNENDING – Tide Turns Eternal LP (20 Buck Spin) now on limited color of black
One of the great metal albums of 2021 is now available on vinyl! DREAM UNENDING is a new progressive doom metal band featuring members of TOMB MOLD & INNUMERABLE FORMS. A nice mix of shoegazey clean guitars & melodic doom that will appeal to fans of BELL WITCH, early KATATONIA etc…RECOMMENDED.
DELVON LAMARR ORGAN TRIO – Cold As Weiss LP/CD (Colemine) limited color or black vinyl
The great Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio from Seattle return with another fantastic album of raw & funky jams that owe as much to Jimmy Smith as it does the JBs or THE METERS.
CATE LE BON – Pompeii LP/CD (Mexican Summer) black or limited yellow vinyl
Is “Pompeii” CATE LE BON’s apocalypse record? Well, it does feel like things are falling apart a bit, and we may as well find ourselves entombed and calcified in volcanic rock. But title and reality aside, there is more to “Pompeii” than doom and gloom. Rather, LE BON seeks to deconstruct the immediate, instead placing us in a continuum of time that includes both ecstasy and suffering. This comes out not only in the lyrics but in the music as well, which draws influence from the nostalgic genres of new wave, Japanese city pop and 80s electro while still retaining a modern sensibility for composition and arrangement. This is another great release from one of music’s current visionaries. On Mexican Summer and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
MEAT WAVE – Volcano Park LP (Big Scary Monsters)
The excellent Chicago band MEAT WAVE returns with “Volcano Park.” Originally released digitally in 2021, this one is finally available physically & it sounds great on wax. These guys are one of the best live bands in town & they’re known for their tight-as-hell playing & very catchy post-punk songs.Fans of things like BUZZCOCKS, THE DAMNED, WIPERS, HOT SNAKES etc…need to check this out. RECOMMENDED.
MY DAD IS DEAD – …And He’s Not Going to Take it Anymore LP (Scat) limited color or black
Scat Records continues to dig up treasure, this time with a reissue of the 1986 debut by the indie cult band MY DAD IS DEAD. Led by the talented & prolific songwriter Mark Edwards, MDID was one of those rare one-man bands that truly sounded like a band, releasing a number of classic albums on the great labels like Homestead & of course Scat. The MDID sound was a mix of JOY DIVISION & THE CURE goth & drum machine driven post-punk like MODERNART & IRON CURTAIN. This reissue includes 9 previously unreleased songs & expanded artwork. RECOMMENDED!
SPOON – Lucifer on the Sofa LP/CD (Matador) color vinyl coming soon!
One of the most reliable acts of the last quarter century returns in 2022 with “Lucifer on the Sofa”, the band’s 10th album overall. This is a “basics” SPOON LP, ditching some of the electronics on previous records and returning to the jagged, glammy and soulful stuff of their 00s catalog. Not that we were complaining before! Just that it’s sometimes nice to have a well- executed, “no frill” rock record once in a while! You know it’s RECOMMENDED.
URGE OVERKILL – OUI LP/CD (Ominvore)
UO returns & they’ve crafted a really decent batch of tunes for their first album in over 10 years. Always the masters of glam & cock-of-the-block cheek, not much has changed despite these guys being in their early 50s now. Fans of the band won’t be disappointed.
WORM – Foreverglade LP (20 Buck Spin) now on limited color or black vinyl
WORM comes from the land of death metal, Florida & they’re 2021 album is a remarkable achievement in the genre not to mention the genius album title. These guys aren’t afraid to experiment in the genre either using well-placed synths, a nice back & forth with different singing styles & a good amount of tempo changes. Another instant classicon the 20 Buck Spin label.
OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES & RESTOCKS
ANIMAL COLLECTIVE – Time Skiffs LP/CD (Domino) limited ruby red vinyl
This was released digitally in late 2021 & now it’s finally here physically. Chicago astral travelers pay tribute to the ultimate spaceman Sun Ra with this tape of covers. Analog synth mastery & surprising vocal treatments from some local faves. RECOMMENDED.
BURIAL – Antidawn 12” (Hyperdub)
“Antidawn” is BURIAL’s longest release since “Untrue” in 2007 (at 44 minutes it’s practically a full length), and it’s also his most ambient, taking beatless sound design into icy, immersive environments that evoke the cold of winter. Beautiful stuff that’s enormous yet subtle. VERY RECOMMENDED.
BILL CALLAHAN & BONNIE PRINCE BILLY – Blind Date Party LP/CD/TAPE (Drag City)
This 2022 album isn’t just a Bill Callahan & Bonnie Prince Billy collaboration but it’s also a Drag City family album of sorts. Bill & Will team up for some Leonard Cohen meets John Prine style folk tunes, country waltzes, & quirky pop songs with help from a ridiculous amount of the Drag City roster including Azita, David Pajo, David Grubbs, Bill Mackay, Mick Turner, Ben Chasny & more.
CLOAKROOM – Dissolution Wave LP (Relapse)
2022 album by the Indiana band that blends elements of shoegaze with a 90s Brit Pop sound. Fans of things like SWERVEDRIVER, TEENAGE FANCLUB, DUSTER, JESU etc… will dig this.
DESERT LIMINAL – Glass Fate LP (White Sepulchre)
DESERT LIMINAL is an art pop band from Chicago & this is their 2022 album. Hints of that early 90s VELVET UNDERGROUND worship, early CAPTURED TRACKS dream pop, etc…Good stuff!
CHARLIE MEGIRA – Da Abtomatic Meisterzinger Mambo LP (Numero) limited color or black
This is a reissue of a 2000 album by the Israel musician Charlie Megira courtesy of Numero Group. Timeless sounding lo-fi songs with lyrics in English & Hebrew that remind of everything from Joe Meek’s singles, mysterious music playing in the background at the RoadHouse in Twin Peaks, lost Santo & Johnny tunes, something you might hear on “Songs the Cramps Taught Us” etc…RECOMMENDED.
PINEGROVE – 11:11 LP/CD (Rough Trade) black or limited red vinyl
NJ quintet PINEGROVE has produced music at a fast clip by modern standards – seemingly a record a year – and “11:11” develops their sound beyond “Amperland, NY” by striking a balance between wide-eyed, DEATH CAB-esque indie pop, emo and Americana with tight, melancholy harmonies and sun-kissed arrangements. Many parts of this remind us of WAXAHATCHEE’s “Saint Cloud”, with a touch of country and folk being placed into a “rock band” milieu.
CHARLOTTE DAY WILSON – Alpha LP (Stone Woman) limited color or black vinyl
Debut solo album from the Toronto based artist & regular BADBADNOTGOOD collaborator Charlotte Day Wilson. Combining elements of soul/R&B, jazz & melodic indie pop ala BON IVER & XX’s Romy, Day Wilson has created a new modern R&B classic.
OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES & RESTOCKS
TORI AMOS – Ocean to Ocean LP (Decca)
BAD SUNS – Apocalypse Whenever LP (Epitaph)
LADY BLACKBIRD – Black Acid Soul LP (BMG)
BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB – Beat the Devil’s Tattoo LP (Vagrant) Vagrant 25 reissue
BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB – Specter at the Feast LP (Vagrant) Vagrant 25 reissue
BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB – Wrong Creatures LP (Vagrant) Vagrant 25 reissue
CHARLOTTE CORNFIELD – Highs in the Minuses LP (Double Double Whammy)
FRUIT BATS – Sometimes a Cloud is Just a Cloud: Slow Growers, Sleeper Hits & Lost Songs (2001-2021) LP (Merge) pink & violet vinyl
GRATEFUL DEAD – Fillmore West March 1st 1969 3LP box set (Rhino)
PJ HARVEY – Let England Shake LP (Island)
PJ HARVEY – Let England Shake – Demos LP (Island)
TIM HECKER – The North Water (Original Score) LP (Invada)
JONSI – Without Remorse (Original Score) LP (Krunk)
LADY WRAY – Piece of Me LP/CD (Big Crown) limited color or black vinyl
ROBERT AIKI AUBREY LOWE – Candyman (Soundtrack) CD (Wax Work)
ELENA SETIÉN – Unfamiliar Minds LP (Thrill Jockey) limited blue vinyl
MAYA SHENFELD – In Free Fall LP/CD (Thrill Jockey) limited clear vinyl
ST. PAUL & THE BROKEN BONES – Alien Coast LP (Ato) limited color or black
THE WEEKND – Dawn FM CD (Select Sound) signed copies!! Limited to 1 per customer
LUCINDA WILLIAMS – You Are Cordially Invited…: Tribute to the Rolling Stones LP/CD (HIghway 20)
BORIS – W LP/CD/TAPE (Sacred Bones) limited color or black vinyl
Tokyo legends BORIS return with their first album on Sacred Bones. The long running group mixes things up quite a bit on this one. Yes there are some heavy, spaced-out psych sounds that you know & love but they also experiment with electronic beats & some new age sounds with vocals exclusively by Wata this time.
BOY HARSHER – The Runner (Soundtrack) CD (Nude Club) vinyl coming in February
Rather than a conventional album release, Massachusetts duo BOY HARSHER decided on their fifth release to be in the context of a soundtrack to a short, experimental horror film. Released in tandem with the film itself, “The Runner” is some of BOY HARSHER’s most intense and bracing work to date, taking the icy, retro synthwave of their previous work with a more cinematic approach to dynamics. Fans of CLAN OF XYMOX, CHROMATICS, POESIE NOIRE and even a bit of JOHN CARPENTER’s recent output will love this. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Three beloved members of the Chicago music scene Brett Naucke, Whitney Johnson & Natalie Chami team up for this 2021 album. Using the classic Tarkovsky film “The Mirror” for inspiration, the three tight friends collaborated to make Naucke’s most accessible album yet. The album has a soundtrack quality, perhaps it’s because they were using the film as a backdrop & there are moments that remind us of everything from Tim Hecker to ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER & even DEAD CAN DANCE at times. RECOMMENDED.
STORMKEEP – Tales of Other Time CD (Van) vinyl coming in February
Totally epic, symphonic black metal featuring members of WAYFARER & BLOOD INCANTATION. Though these guys aren’t a Viking metal band, their sound owes a lot to that style so fans of bands like EMPEROR, ENSLAVED BORKNAGAR, WINDIR etc…& the great ABSU will really like this. RECOMMENDED.
YARD ACT – The Overload LP/CD (Zen F.C.) limited green vinyl
Leeds’ YARD ACT is the latest in a line of rising post- punk bands from the UK that includes BLACK MIDI, SQUID, DRY CLEANING and BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD, making sharp, angular rock music that splits the difference between nostalgic reference and timely political meaning. YARD ACT’s sound takes some cues from PULP, ARCTIC MONKEYS and SLEAFORD MODS to varying degrees, and while the music has some acerbic wit it remains energetic and ultimately fun. Good stuff here. RECOMMENDED.
OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES & RESTOCKS
ANXIOUS – Little Green House LP/CD (Run For Cover)
HARRY BERTOIA – Sonambient 11LP box set (Third Man)
BLUE LICK – Hold On, Hold Fast LP (American Dreams)
DON CHERRY – Where is Brooklyn? LP (Blue Note) Blue Note Classic Vinyl Series
LANA DEL REY – Blue Banisters LP (Interscope) back in stock
FUCKED UP – Epics in Minutes LP (Get Better) remastered; first time on LP!
FUGAZI – Repeater LP (Dischord) finally available again
Small new release week and some titles didn’t make it yet due to bad weather including some Rhino reissues titles that will be in early next week. Happy new year!
BOY HARSHER – Lesser Man LP (Nude Club) color vinyl
BURIAL – Burial LP (Hyperdub) back in stock!
CLAIRO – Diary 001 LP (Fader) available again
SAM COOKE – Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964 LP (Abcko) clear vinyl
ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS – First Flight to Tokyo: Lost 1961 Recordings LP (Blue Note)
After the discovery & release this year of an unknownlive recording of “A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane comes this recently discovered live recording of Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers from Tokyo in 1961. The stellar group featured Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, Bobby Timmons & Jymie Merritt & the album opens up with an energetic drum solo followed by the group making their way through a few classic tunes. A really cool set with a thorough book. RECOMMENDED!
FIRE-TOOLZ – Eternal Home LP (Hausu Mountain) color vinyl
Massive new record from Angel Marcloid, who recorded this over the course of 2020 as the COVID pandemic hit Chicago. Blending black metal vocals, heavy post-metal instrumentation, video game soundtrack synths, bright hyperpop arrangement and some touches of straight-up indie rock guitar jangle, “Eternal Home” pulls from the most diverse sources yet in a FIRE-TOOLZ record. But these sounds find a way to mesh, and when taken together the heavier musical pieces are inverted from aggressive into meditative. Fans of disparate artists like EQUIP, 100 GECS, JAMES FERRARO and even MAYHEM and DARKTHRONE can find something to love here!
JEFF PARKER – Forfolks LP (International Anthem) limited color or black vinyl
Guitarist Jeff Parker is one of the most important Chicago musicians of the last two decades. Now based in L.A., Parker has performed with TORTOISE, CHICAGO UNDERGROUND TRIO & more recently Makaya McCraven along with his numerous solo projects. This one recorded in L.A. is a collection of solo guitar pieces that includes a Thelonious Monk cover, reinterpretations of some old songs & the standard “My Ideal.” As usual Parker’s tone is fantastic & he’s experimenting a lot with loops & pedals in ways that remind us of PAPA M’s “Live From a Shark Cage” with a more loose, more improvised feel. RECOMMENDED.
RIKI – Gold LP (Dais) color or black vinyl
The L.A. based synth pop artist returns with another collection of great new romantic/new wave inspired songs. With some fantastic production & mixing by Josh Eustis of TELEFON TEL AVIV, RIKI has made an album that makes the futuristic sounds of the 80s sound futurist again. Fans of SAADA BONAIRE, early ROXY MUSIC, DURAN DURAN, STRAWBERRY SWITCHBLADE etc… will love this. RECOMMENDED.
VERSUS – Let’s Electrify! LP (Teenbeat)
The NYC band VERSUS were one of the finest early 90s indie rock bands. Named after the MISSION OF BURMA album, VERSUS blended elements of the more melodic side of SONIC YOUTH with popular indie rock of the era like PAVEMENT & SEBADOH. These songs still sound incredibly exciting today. RECOMMENDED!
NEIL YOUNG – Barn LP/CD (Reprise) regular, special edition or deluxe box set
You’d never guess from the title but Neil Young’s 2021 album with Crazy Horse was recorded in a barn. The barn was built in Colorado in the 1850s & recently restored by Young. This version of Crazy Horse once again features Nils Lofgren as Frank Sampedro seems to be permanently retired. This has a nice mix of dirty rockers & mellow numbers & at nearly 80 years young (pun intended), Neil & the band show no signs of slowing down.
OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES & RESTOCKS
AEON STATION – Observatory LP/CD (Sub Pop)
APRIL MAGAZINE – If the Ceiling Were a Kite, Vol. 1 LP (Tough Love)
THE BAND – Cahoots LP/CD/BOX SET (Capitol) 50th Anniversary
BARDO POND – Amanita LP (Matador) deluxe reissue
BRIA – Cuntry Covers Vol. 1 LP/CD/TAPE (Sub Pop)
COMMON – Beautiful Revolution PT. 2 LP/CD (Loma Vista)
KENNY COX & THE CONTEMPORARY JAZZ QUINTET – Introducing LP (Blue Note) classic vinyl series
DEAR LAIKA – Pluperfect Mind LP (NNA Tapes) color vinyl
DMX – Legacy LP (Def Jam)
FOODMAN – Yasuragi Land LP (Hyperdub)
GHOST BATH – Self Loather LP (Nuclear Blast)
GOBLIN – The Horror Original Soundtracks 10LP box set (Cinevox) Wicker Park
GREEN DAY – BBC Sessions LP/CD (Reprise) limited color or black vinyl
MARGO GURYAN – 29 Demos LP (Modern Harmonic)
CURTIS HARDING – If Words Were Flowers LP (Anti-) color or black vinyl
HOLDY STEADY – Open Door Policy LP (Thirty Tigers) pink vinyl
MICHAEL HURLEY – Time of the Foxgloves LP/CD (No Quarter)
KING KRULE – You Heat Me Up, You Cool Me Down LP (True Panther)
JOHN PRINE 33 ⅓ BOOK by Erin Osmon SIGNED COPIES!!
FELA KUTI – Vinyl Box Set 5 LP (Knitting Factory) curated by Chris Martin
LADY GAGA – Born This Way: 10TH Anniversary 3LP (Interscope)
THE LILYS – Better Can’t Make Your Life Better LP (Sundazed) remastered!
MADVILLAIN – Madvillainy LP (Stones Throw) back in stock!
ENNIO MORRICONE – Dollars, Dust & Pistoleros: The Westerns Anthology 10LP box set (Cinevox) Wicker Park
NARROW HEAD – Satisfaction LP (Run For Cover)
HERBIE NICHOLS – The Prophetic Herbie Nichols LP (Blue Note)
NIRVANA – Nevermind LP (Geffen) standard LP back in stock
CHUCK PROPHET – No Other Love LP (New West) remastered
RADIOHEAD – Kid A Mnesia 3LP (XL) now on black vinyl!
JIMMY SMITH – Home Cookin’ LP (Blue Note) classic vinyl series
SPOON – Wild 7” (Matador)
SUFJAN STEVENS – Songs for Christmas LP box set (Asthmatic Kitty)
MOSES SUMNEY – Live From Blackalachia LP (Tuntum)
SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA – Omniverse LP (Modern Harmonic) color vinyl
VARIOUS ARTISTS – Flag Day (Soundtrack) LP (Republic)
VARIOUS ARTISTS – Licorice Pizza (Soundtrack) LP (Republic)
The second volume of the CAN live series goes back to 1975 with this killer set from Brighton. CAN’s shows were famously mostly improvised & despite the fact that they’d just released “Landed” there isn’t really much recognizable from the album. Like the first volume, this sounds surprisingly good considering it’s technically a bootleg. Just more proof that these guys were one of the best bands of the 20th century. RECOMMENDED!
JOHN DU CANN – The World’s Not Big Enough LP (Just Add Water) available again!
John Du Cann played with a number of great bands of varying styles over the years including THE ATTACK, ANDROMEDA & ATOMIC ROOSTER. This album recorded in 1977 & produced by Francis Rossi of STATUS QUO has never been released on vinyl until now. It’s a crazy mix of glam, punk, new wave & prog with songs that sound like a mix of T. REX, BOWIE, ROXY MUSIC & SLADE with CARS esque synth leads & stellar guitar playing. WILD STUFF!!
EQUIP – EQUIP 64 TAPE (Equip Picks)
Chicago vaporwave pioneer & Reckless ex-pat Kevin Hein is back as EQUIP with another amazing collection of music. This time Hein is exploring the magical realms & worlds of Nintendo 64 games like Super Mario, Super Smash Bros, Zelda: Ocarina of Time &more. Fantastic stuff!!!
THE OFFSET – Spectacles LP (Trouble In Mind)
THE OFFSET were a band from Beijing & this 10th anniversary reissue comes to us courtesy of the fine Chicago label Trouble in Mind. The band features guitarist Tom Ng who would go on to form the excellent GONG GONG GONG & the two bands are similar with minimalist percussion, dissonant guitars & jagged rhythms. Fans of everything from early SONIC YOUTH, THE FALL, contemporary Aussie post-punk, NYC no wave etc… will flip for this.RECOMMENDED!!
SLOPPY JANE – Madison LP/CD (Saddest Factory) limited color or black vinyl
SLOPPY JANE is the project of the New York based musician Haley Dahl. This album on Phoebe Bridgers Saddest Factory Records is a mix of playful indie folk rock with some songs that reminded us of everything from FLEETWOOD MAC to PINK FLOYD’s acoustic songs (believe it or not) & Nilsson. No joke the album was recorded in a cave & they lowered a piano down into the cave on cables to make the record & you can hear dripping water & everything. WILD!
MACIE STEWART – Mouth Full of Glass LP (Orindal) now on color vinyl!
Over the past five years or so, Macie Stewart has become of the most vital members of the Chicago music community with her band OHMME & collaborations with artists such as CIRCUIT DES YEUX & Ben Lamar Gay among many others. Her debut solo album is a nice mix of Laurel Canyon esque folk rock & experimental pop. The album features other Chicago talents such as Sen Morimoto, Ben Lamar Gay & more. RECOMMENDED!
TASHA – Tell Me What You Miss the Most LP/CD/TAPE (Father Daughter)
The second album from the talented Chicago singer/songwriter is a wonderful mix of folky acoustic tunes & jazz-influenced pop songs. The whole album has a laid-back & almost dreamy feel, & Tasha’s silky voice really draws you into the record. A really fantastic collection of songs.
OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES & RESTOCKS
PHOEBE BRIDGERS – Punisher LP (Dead Oceans) back in stock!!
CLAIRE CRONIN – Bloodless LP (Orindal)
ANDREW GABBARD – Homemade LP (Karma Chief)
GEESE – Projector LP/CD (Partisan)
OSEES – Levitation Sessions II LP (Reverb Appreciation Society) limited color vinyl
BEN PIRANI – More Than a Memory 7” (Colemine) 2 different versions
DAVID LEE ROTH – Diamond Dave LP (Magna Carta)
SIGUR ROS – Med Sud I Eyrum Vi Spilum Endalaust LP (Krunk) classic back in print!
SIGUR ROS – Valtari LP (Krunk) classic back in print!
SONGS: OHIA – Songs: Ohia LP (Secretly Canadian) color vinyl Secretly 25th pressing
VINCE STAPLES – Vince Staples CD (Motown) vinyl coming next year
GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS – All the Good Times Past LP (Acony) limited
JAMIRE WILLIAMS – But Only After You Have Suffered LP (International Anthem)
ZERO BOYS – Vicious Circle LP (Secretly Canadian) color vinyl Secretly 25th pressing
